Amuesement apparatus



Feb. 12, 1929.

T. SAWERS ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 www w T/M R mv o T. VYE T.A mm A uw Ww w Wl TN ESSES #AM Feb. 12, 1929.

T. sAwERS Er AL AHUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ul U INVENTOR .Thomas ,u/ero Wtlliam/EEr/arw Ji' ATTORNEY 1 l \\\Nh T. SWERS ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Feb. 12, 1929. 1,702,136

Filed June 9, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR WITNESSES Thal/as Sau/'wtf 4f@ Wizzwwzzmm- BY @WMM/ www ATTORNEY Febllz, 1929.

T. SAWERS ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 9, 1927 ,T fg-E- N Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SAWERS AND WILLIAM E. EVANS, JB., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.`

AMUSEMENT Application tiled une 9,

l'lic pr sent invention is concerned with the prot` sion of an amusement apparatus of the character in which a passenger carrying ronreyaacV power driven along a predetermined course, andthe passenger' comparti'nentf.; ..:o caused to move eccentrically as the l; ge travels.

lreferably the traveling carriage convey e mounts a rocking carriage. One or f passenger compartments are mounted o'ii'the carriage and eccentrically moved by the rocking motion of the carriage. Preferably also, the passenger compartments are j ien one or more additional movements 'her gravitationally or otherwise, which nioxements are entirely independent of the movement of the rocking carriage itself.

in object of the invention is to provide an amusement device of this general character so arranged that the passenger compartments will be suddenly moved and jerked about in varimis directions in order to provide amusenient, excitement and unexpected thrills to the riders.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a number ot' travellingconveyances are operatively connected to an endless cable, and continuously caused to travel in an orbital path. Prei'erably the conveyance rolls over a platform bearing the rocking carriage. Traci; means is provided for prevent-ing lifting movement of the conveyance itself, and additional track means is provided for imparting movement to the rocking carriage.

This second track means is preferably undulating, and carriage operating' means is aintained in continuous engagement with the undulating track to impart the desired motion to the carriage.

The device in its preferred embodiment provides con'iparatively safe, although eX- citing amusement for the riders, and causes the passenger compartments to be subjected to ay wide variety of compound motions which are quite bewildering. The particular manner in which the passenger compartments are associated with the carriage and with a set ot mounting stairs: causes an optical illusion which makes the travel seem considerably more dangerous than it really is. In fact, the riders while the device is in motion will be somewhat confused as to whether thepassenger compartments, the carriage, the mounting stairs, or anyor all of them happen to be in motion.

One novel feature of the invention is `the APPARATUS.

19'27. serial No. 197,699.`

provision of an amusement apparatus which combines both the mechanical and positive movement of the carriage with gravitation or inertia controlledmovements of the passen ger compartments.

Other and more general objects of the invention arev to provide an amusement apparatus of comparatively simple construction which will be rugged and durable in use, an which may be built andoperated with comparative economy.

lVit-h the above noted and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features ot construction and combinations and arrangements of parts,` as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and pointed out in the claims. The invention may be more fully understood from the following descrip-V tion in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 a diagrannnatic broken top plan view showing the general arrangement of the conveyances, the latform over which they travel and the cab e drive. y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the conveyances.`

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View through one of the conveyances and its supporting platform showing the two tracks, this view being taken approximately on the staggered line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3. y

Fie. 5 is a sectional detail taken approximate on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail on the line 7 7 `of Fig. 4.

Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrammatic viewsin frontv elevation showing the positions assumed by the passenger carriers when the rocking carriage is in its two extreme positions.

Referring first to Fig. 1 I have used the reference character 1() to designate a Hoor or platform preferably enclosed by a railing 11 and accessible by a ramp or stairway 12. Beneath the platform 10 there is mounted a driving motor 13 acting through suitable power transmitting mechaism 14 to rotate a drum or pulley 15'. An endless cable or other suitable tiexible device A16 connects the driven pulley 15 with an idler pulley 17, and as the cable moves, it causes the movement of a connected series of conveyances 18 pro-4 vided with rollers or casters 19 rolling over the platform 10. These conveyances are prefe 'ably connected to each other by links 20, and are each operatively connected to the concealed cable 16 by mechanism which will be later described.

Preferably the conveyance 18 is in the nature of a fiat car, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4. A sleeve 21 projecting downwardly from the under surface of the car passes through a slot 22 in the platform 10. Clamped to the sleeve below the platform is a split collar 23 bearing a rigid arm 24 which is pivotally connected as at 25 to a clamping member 26 adjustable by screws 27 to grip the cable 16 above mentioned. rl`hus the car 18 is caused to move with the driven cable.

The movement of the lar along the slot 22 is additionally guided by the use of rollers 28 rolling against track plates 29 secured to the under face of the platform 10 at either side of the slot 22, these rollers are borne on laterally projecting stud shafts 3() carried by hangers 31 depending from the car 18.

A shaft 32 is journalled in bearing brackets 33 fixed upon the car 18. this shaft providing pivotal mounting for a skeleton rocking carriage designated generally at Carriage 34 includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed skeleton side plates o5 rigidly connected together by cross frame bars 36. Side frame members 35 are of general triangular shape pivotally mounted at their lower apical ends on the shaft 32. A platform 37 has limited gravitational sliding movement on the flat top of the rocking skeleton frame, this platform carrying suitable chair members 38 in which the passengers are seated.

Means is provided for intermittently rocking the carriage 35 about its pivot shaft 32 as the car 18 travels over the platform 10. This means has been illustrated as a lever 39 vertically reciprocable through the hollow sleeve 31. and pivotally connected at its upper end to a link 40 pivotally joined to a transverse shaft 41 connecting the two side members 35 of the rocking frame. Shaft 41 is disposed off-center relatively to the shaft 32, and the lower end of the link 39 is operatively connected to an undulating track 42 in such a manner that the link 39 is reciprocated as the car 18 travels along.

Preferably track 42 is of general I-shape in cross section and the link 39 at its lower end carries a yoke 43 mounting inwardly presented rollers 44 confined between the side ianges of the track 42.

I have already described the manner in Which the car 18 is locked against vertical movement relatively to the platform 10. As this car travels thereon. and the rollers 44 follow the contour of the undulating track 42. link 39 will be positively reciprocated to positively rock carriage 34 about its pivot shaft 32.

The passenger carrying devices 38 include seat'portions 45, side portions 46 and back portions 47, which are preferably provided with safety hand rails 48 adapted to be grasped by the passengers. Pairs of plates 49 depending from the members 38 pass through openings 50 in the platform 37. Pairs of shafts 51, 52 extending transversely of the carriage 34, are mounted in the plates 4S). and at their ends carry rollers 53 disposed in generally V-shap'ed tracks 54 fixed to and depending from the platforms 37. The two adjacent shafts 52 are preferably connected by an equalizing bar which assures par allelisln of the 'two passenger carrying devices 38 in all positions of the rocking carriage The use of the connected rollers 53 in the lil-shaped tracks 52, 54 assures the maintenance of the seats on an even keel in all positions of adjustment of the carriage, since as the carriage tilts, changing the angular disposition of the tracks 54,; the rollers will move by gravity in the tracks. Inasmuch as the two sets of rollers of each passenger carrier 38 are fixed relatively to cach other, there will be no tendency of the passenger carriers to tilt. The equalizing bar 55 assists in the maintenance of the two passenger carriers on an even keel, particularly when sudden shocks are imparted to the carriers which might cause them to travel by momentum, as when the carriage 34 comes to a sudden stop, or the sliding platform 37 reaches the end of its movement.

The tilting` or rocking movement of 'the larriage 34 is positively checked in both directions by the use of `ables anchored to the car 18 and connected to arms (51 fixed to the shafts 51.

rl`he means for guidingI the sliding inovement of the platform 3T along the flat top of tbe carriage 34 by momentum is best seen in 5 and G wherein it will be noted that longitudinally extending` rails G3 are mounted in brackets G4 on the top of the carriage. Guided for sliding movement along 'these rails are depending brackets carried by the platform 3T. Preferably marginal flanges 3T on the platform 3? normally conceal the rods 63 from view. and serve as dust covers for the cushioning springs GG which encircle the rods (33 between each pair of brackets 64 and 65.

As best seen in Fig. 6, sliding movement of the platform 37 across the top of the carriage 34 is checked by the cushioning springs titi. these springs being of the coiled expansion type backed against the brackets G4 and com pressed by the brackets 65.

farried upon the cars 18 are stairways 75 by which the passengers enter and leave the elevated passenger carriers 38. These stairways are guarded by handrails 76 and may be suitably ornamented as by the lamps 77.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows. With the cable 16 in motion, the connected train ot' cars 18 travel in an orbital path, the cars being guided by the slot 22, and held against upward movement by the rollers 28.

As the car 1S travels along, rod 39 is acted upon by the undulating track to rock the carriage 3l. The carriage will first be rocked to the position ot F ig. 8, at which point further rocking movement is checked by one of the cables 6U, and the momentum of the sliding platform together with the passenger carriers 3S is suoli, that it slides laterally after the carriage has been stopped. The sliding movement of the platform is checked by the spring 66 in the manner above described. Upon Continued movement of the car 18, carriage 23st is rocked in the opposite direction as shown in F ig. 9, and when brought to a sudden stop by one ot' the cables, platform 3T will slide in the opposite direction carrying with it the passenger carriers 3S. Those carriers are always maintained on an even keel by gravity due to the unique arrangement of the Vsshaped tracks 54.- and the rollers 'if he combined travel ot the ear 18, rocking of the carriage 34, shifting et the ang-.le ot' `the carriage relatively to the passenger carw riers and bodily sliding movement of the platform 37, serves to bewilder, surprise and amuse the riders. The presence of the mounting stairways directly in front of the passenger carriers, produces somewhat of an optical illusion, since if the riders observe the steps, it is rather difficult to tell ust what part of the conveyors is actually in motion.

Obviously, various changes and alterations mightbe made in the general forni and arrangement of parts described without departing from the invention. Hence we do not wish to limit ourselves to the details set forth, but shall consider ourselves at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Ve claim:

1. In an amusement apparatus, a car, a carriage mounted for rocking movement on the car, a passenger carrier on the carriage, means for maintaining the passenger carrier on an even keel as the carriage rocks.

2. In an amusement apparatus, a car, a carriage mounted for rocking movement on the car, and a passenger carrier on the carriage mounted for sliding movement relatively thereto, and means for Vmaintaining the passenger carrier on an even keel as the carriage rocks.

3. In an amusement device, a car, a movable carriage on the car, means for intermittently rockably moving the carriage, a passenger chair on the carriage, and means whereby the chair moves by inertia Whenever movement of the carriage is checked,

maintaining the chair on an even keel in all positions of the carriage.

5. In an amusement a paratus, a car, a carriage mounted for roe ing movement on the car, a passenger carrier on the carriage, and carriage operating means operable only when the car is in motion, comprising an undulating track, a rocker mechanism locked to the track.

6. In an amusement apparatus in combination, a floor having a slot therein, a car including roller means to travel on the floor, and guide means extending downwardly through the slot, a carriage movably mounted on the car, an undulating track, means operatively connecting the carriage and track to. impart movement to the carriage as the car rolls along the platform, and a passenger carrier on the carriage.

T. In an amusement apparatus in combina tion, a floor having a slot therein, a ear inv4 eluding roller means to travel on the floor, and guide means extending downwardly through the slot, a carriage movably mounted on the. car, an undulating track, means operatively connecting the carriage and track to impart movement to the carriage as the car rolls along' the platform, and a passenger car rier on the carriage, said carriage being rockably mounted. Y

8. In an amusement apparatus in combination, a floor having a slot therein, a car including roller means to travel on the floor, and guide means extending downwardly through t-he slot, a carriage movabl mounted on the car, an undulating trac means operatively connecting the carriage and track to impart movement to the carriage as the car rolls along the platform, and a passenger carrier on the carriage, said carriage being rockalbly mounted, said track being disposed under the Hoor and the connecting means extending through the slot.

9. In an amusement apparatus in combination, a floor having a slot therein, a car including roller lmeans to travel on the floor, and guide means extending downwardly through the slot, a carriage movably mounted on the car, an undulating track, means 0peratively connecting the carriage and track to impart movement to the carriage as the car rolls along the plat-for and a. passen ger carrier on the carriage, said carriage being roclably mounted, said guide means including a sleeve, and said conm-uitingmeans including a. rod slidable vertically in the sleeve.

l0. In an amusement apparatus in coinliination, a iioor liaving a slot tlierein, a car including roller ineens to travel ontlie floor, and guide means entending` downwardly through the slot, a carriage movnbly mounted on tlie car, an undulating` track, means operatively connecting;l tlie carriage and track to impart movement to the carriage 'the car rolls along tlie platform, and a passenger carrier on tlie carriage, said carriage beingroclialily mount@ l, said guide means including a sleeve, and said connecting' means including' a rod slidable veil'iilljg7 in tlie sleeve, said track being` of general I-sliape in cross-section7 a yoke at the lower end of tlie rod straddling' the track, and rollers mounted on 'tlie yoke interlocking` with the track ilenges 1l. Inv an amusement devine, cnr7 traction Wheels thereon, a carri e roclialily mounted on the car a pl at'loini lia-ving); liniited slidable movement on the carriage, said platform adapted to slide lruv inertia as tlie carriage reaches tlie liniit oli its rocking movement in either direction, passen chairs carried by the platform, and means for maintaining the gassen` r cliairs on en even lreel in all positions or tno carriage and platform.

l2. In. an amusement device, :i car, traction Wheels thereon a Carriage rocllably mounted lile movein it on tlie carriage, said platform adapted to slide luy inertia as tlie carriage reaches tlie limit oi? its rocking movement in either directiong passenge cliairs carried by the platform and means 'for maintainingr the passent-er clinirs on an even leel in all positions oi tlie carriage and platform7 the chairs including depending' extensions passed tlnfouggli "l platform, rollers carried by tlie extensie .fa and general "tf-shaped tracks depeudn` from ille plat orni in vrliicli tlio rollers rest, n'liereliy the l1airs gravitationassuine a. vertical position in all positiem*y oi tl e glatilfornr 13. il, device oi? the class deserilmd in claim lf27 vvlierer Si shafts connect the rollers oi" each cliffiir und an equalizer nur connects the roller slia'lts oit udjacent olieirs.

ll. In an amusementapparatus, a car, a.

on the car, a platform having limited slideriage roelialilj; niou ated on the car, n pascnrrler sl adable on the carriage and ces anchored to tlie platform lnnln :in amusement apparatus, a car, a traine roelralily mounted on the car, passen- L chairs supnfirted on tlie iframe, and a mounting stir' way on tlie our arranged adjacent 'the "llame and in propel' position to proviiile n n-,cess to tlie cliaii's in ell positions of tlie lutter.

llflOlili/XS SAW/VERS. lWllilnll/l ll EVANS, Jn. 

